Skin: Best Way To lighten up dark spots

Skin: Best Way To lighten up dark spots

I always silently greet old little Asian ladies who carry an umbrella on the sunniest of days. Unlike most people, who, I presume, look as if they were loons far I bow to their unwavering commitment to flee the UV rays. Of course, for them is the same: For centuries, the alabaster skin unblemished has been associated with high social status in Asian cultures, and regarded as an ideal of beauty.

In recent years, the desire to have a uniform color has migrated west today, you'd be hard pressed to find a brand of skincare does not offer a product to fight against hyperpigmentation . If the result of accumulated sun exposure or hormonal imbalance, or souvenirs from a breakout, these marks, spots, whatever you want to call them, not to be confused with freckles, which are genetic, leaving behind a visual history of injury that you 've incurred on your face. "What happens is a group of cells becomes mad," explains Dr. Daniel Yarosh, senior vice president of Estée Lauder Companies research in basic sciences. "Pigment decision is a natural defense reaction. They have been a signal of the UV or inflammation, such as acne.

Historically, the most fanciful (crushed pearl powder) and frightening (arsenic, mercury) ingredients were called to erase the evidence is scarce, a notoriously difficult problem to treat. Therefore the prescription strength hydroquinone topical has been the go-modern remedy provided by dermatologists. Although it produces results, it is not without side effects of irritation to a disease called ochronosis (which causes blue-black pigment to form in the skin). It is also considered toxic by the Canadian government and is banned in Europe for reasons to be a potential carcinogen. However, the Rxs keep being written. "When I talk to my friends dermatology, they give in the case because it is the gold standard," says Dr. Yarosh.

This may be about to change Clinique Even Better clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($ 63 in department stores) launches this month, "a breakthrough for the cosmetics industry," said Janet Pardo, senior vice president of global development products of the brand. Claims grouped in the serum is that, given 12 weeks of use twice a day is as effective or better than four percent hydroquinone, without the inconvenience and the 'company says it has clinical evidence to prove his word.

The formulation, called CL-302 complex, features some ingredients commonly used in other lightening products such as salicylic acid and glucosamine, which dissociate in melanin "dust" in the upper layer of the skin . Ascorbyl glucoside, a derivative of vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of spots and "reprograms the melanocytes to calm down and reduce the production of melanin," said Dr. Yarosh. There are also Trametes versicolor extract, "an enzyme that targets melanin and Chops It Up" and the root extract of turmeric and glycyrrhetinic acid, two anti-inflammatory very powerful. "

But the most recently discovered in this supercharged healing enisfolia Dianella, a valuable ingredient of Botany South Asia selected from a selection of over 1,100 extracts. For the research team, which stood on this plant was the fact that its antioxidant activity in particular demonstrated that she was the perfect rival for the oxidation of melanin production. "This is the game that makes it quite powerful," said Dr. Yarosh.

However, it is the synergy of all these elements, which is credited with stimulating the prescription product POWERFUL level. "I do not think anyone can achieve the standard of hydroquinone with a single ingredient, and go beyond," said Dr. Yarosh. In addition, using this medicine, you have to beat [skin] and this one active ingredient. But when you can combine different, using a threshold of each level, you reduce the risk of irritation and get a better overall response. "

Remember, no amount of chemistry cocktailing gives your skin perfectly, even tones. For this you will need your daily dose of sunscreen. And maybe an umbrella.

By Lesa Hannah